Francesca Sommer to lead Family & Children's Service of Niagara

Oct. 07--Francesca Sommer has been named the next president and CEO of Family & Children's Service of Niagara. Sommer will take on the role on Dec. 3.

The county agency's board of directors said she he has a long and diverse professional history of nonprofit leadership, management, advocacy, program development, and direct clinical work in developmental disabilities, mental health and child and family therapy.

After spending much of her career in the Capital Region, Sommer will be returning to her roots in Niagara County.

Most recently, she was the director of performance management services with the New York State Community Action Association in Guilderland. She has served as the executive director of the Learning Disabilities Association of New York State and the New York Coalition for Quality Assisted Living, and as the director of special projects for the New York State Association for Community & Residential Agencies.

Sommer successfully launched three start-up non-profit organizations to drive legislation reform and advocacy for the long-term care sector within the health care industry and has led the development and oversight of multiple outpatient clinics providing primary care, medical, behavioral health, and other clinical specialty services. She is a licensed master social worker and holds her master of Social Work degree from SUNY Buffalo.

Of her appointment, Sommer said, "I am honored to have this opportunity to give back to the community where I was born and raised. I look forward to continuing the exceptional work of Family and Children's Service, which has flourished under the stewardship of the Board of Directors, Ken Sass, and the staff."

Since 1895, Family & Children's Service of Niagara, a multi-service agency, has provided an array of services for individuals and families in the community. Serving more than 2,500 individuals in our community annually, the agency provides services which span the entire life cycle, from pregnancy to life's end.

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